TKS
Encyclopedia
The TK and TKS were Polish
tankette
s during the Second World War.
. The TKS was an improved model with a new hull and a more powerful engine. The armour
of the TK was up to 8 mm thick (10 mm on the TKS). In 1939, re-arming of the tankettes with 38FK 20 mm machine guns began, but only about 24 were completed before the outbreak of World War II.
On 6 November 1934 Estonia purchased 6 vehicles from Poland
, with the contract deal worth over 180,000 krones
. The deal also included one additional tracked-lorry, and a motorcycle was given free as a bonus.
, often being the only armoured fighting vehicles available. Due to their light armament of a single machine gun
, they stood no chance in combat against German tanks, except the Panzer I
, but their small size suited them for reconnaissance
and infantry support. Only the handful of tankettes armed with 20 mm guns had a fighting chance against the enemy tanks; in one instance on 18 September 1939 a 20 mm gunned TKS with Nkm wz.38 FK
commanded by sergeant Roman Orlik destroyed three German Panzerkampfwagen 35(t) tanks.
Experimental models:
The other survivors are not in working order.
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
tankette
Tankette
A tankette is a tracked combat vehicle resembling a small tank roughly the size of a car, mainly intended for light infantry support or reconnaissance. Colloquially it may also simply mean a "small tank"....
s during the Second World War.
Design and development
The TK (also known as the TK-3) tankette was a Polish design produced from 1931 that was based upon an improved chassis of the British Carden Loyd tanketteCarden Loyd tankette
The Carden Loyd tankettes were a series of British pre-World War II tankettes, the most successful of which was the Mark VI, the only version built in significant numbers...
. The TKS was an improved model with a new hull and a more powerful engine. The armour
Vehicle armour
Military vehicles are commonly armoured to withstand the impact of shrapnel, bullets, missiles, or shells, protecting the personnel inside from enemy fire. Such vehicles include tanks, aircraft, and ships....
of the TK was up to 8 mm thick (10 mm on the TKS). In 1939, re-arming of the tankettes with 38FK 20 mm machine guns began, but only about 24 were completed before the outbreak of World War II.
On 6 November 1934 Estonia purchased 6 vehicles from Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, with the contract deal worth over 180,000 krones
Estonian kroon
In 1992, coins were introduced in denominations of 5, 10, 20 & 50 senti, as well as 1 kroon. The 1 kroon was struck in cupronickel, the others in aluminum-bronze. However, in 1997, nickel-plated steel 20 senti were introduced, followed by aluminum-bronze 1 kroon in 1998. 5 senti coins were not...
. The deal also included one additional tracked-lorry, and a motorcycle was given free as a bonus.
Combat history
The 575 TK/TKS tankettes formed the bulk of the Polish armoured forces before the outbreak of war. They suffered heavy losses during the Invasion of PolandInvasion of Poland (1939)
The Invasion of Poland, also known as the September Campaign or 1939 Defensive War in Poland and the Poland Campaign in Germany, was an invasion of Poland by Germany, the Soviet Union, and a small Slovak contingent that marked the start of World War II in Europe...
, often being the only armoured fighting vehicles available. Due to their light armament of a single machine gun
Machine gun
A machine gun is a fully automatic mounted or portable firearm, usually designed to fire rounds in quick succession from an ammunition belt or large-capacity magazine, typically at a rate of several hundred rounds per minute....
, they stood no chance in combat against German tanks, except the Panzer I
Panzer I
The Panzer I was a light tank produced in Germany in the 1930s. The name is short for the German ' , abbreviated . The tank's official German ordnance inventory designation was SdKfz 101 .Design of the Panzer I began in 1932 and mass production in 1934...
, but their small size suited them for reconnaissance
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
and infantry support. Only the handful of tankettes armed with 20 mm guns had a fighting chance against the enemy tanks; in one instance on 18 September 1939 a 20 mm gunned TKS with Nkm wz.38 FK
Nkm wz.38 FK
The Nkm wz.38 FK was a 20mm heavy machine gun produced in inter-war Poland. It was used both in anti-air and anti-tank role, it was also adapted to tank use and mounted on some TKS tankettes...
commanded by sergeant Roman Orlik destroyed three German Panzerkampfwagen 35(t) tanks.
Variants
- TK (TK-3) - from 1931, about 280 built (Ford A engine)
- TKF - TK tankette with 46 hp (34 kW) Polski Fiat engine and new (TKS-type) suspension, about 18 built
- TKS - improved model of 1933, about 260 built (new hull, suspension, Polski Fiat engine)
- TKS with Nkm wz.38 FK - 20 mm gunNkm wz.38 FKThe Nkm wz.38 FK was a 20mm heavy machine gun produced in inter-war Poland. It was used both in anti-air and anti-tank role, it was also adapted to tank use and mounted on some TKS tankettes...
- about 24 TKS fitted with 20 mm gun in 1939. - C2P - unarmoured light artillery tractorArtillery tractorArtillery tractor is a kind of tractor, also referred to as a gun tractor, a vehicle used to tow artillery pieces of varying weights.-Traction:...
, about 200 built.
Experimental models:
- TK-1, TK-2 - first prototypes
- TKD - light self propelled gun with 47 mm gun, four made.
- TKW - light reconnaissance tank with turret, one prototype made.
- TK-3 with 20 mm gun - only one prototype with a modified hull was completed.
- TKS-D - light tank destroyerTank destroyerA tank destroyer is a type of armored fighting vehicle armed with a gun or missile launcher, and is designed specifically to engage enemy armored vehicles...
with 37 mm BoforsBofors 37 mmThe Bofors 37 mm gun was an anti-tank gun designed by Swedish manufacturer Bofors in the early 1930s. Licensed copies were produced in a number of countries. The gun was used by some European armies during World War II, mainly at the early stage of the war.-Development history:The gun was...
anti-tank gun, two made
Surviving TK-series tankettes
There are only two fully operational TKS tankettes and one TK-3 surviving. All of them reconstructed from wrecks in the first decade of 21st century, using non-original parts.- 1 x TKS - One of the TKS tankettes was donated to Poland by the Swedish AxvallAxvallAxvall is a locality situated in Skara Municipality, Västra Götaland County, Sweden with 1,175 inhabitants in 2005....
Tank Museum and since 2008 it is on exhibition in the Museum of the Polish Army. Interestingly, the Swedish TKS survived the post-war period in Norway, where it was operated by a local farmer as a tractor. - 1 x TKS - Private collection.
- 1 x TK-3 - Private collection.
The other survivors are not in working order.
- 1 x TKS - On exhibition in the Kubinka Tank MuseumKubinka Tank MuseumThe Kubinka Tank Museum is a large museum of armoured fighting vehicles in Kubinka, just outside Moscow. It has many famous tanks from World War I, World War II and the Cold War. The museum also houses many unique vehicles, such as the Panzer VIII Maus, Troyanov super-heavy tank and a Karl-Gerät...
in Russia. - 1 x TKS - On exhibition in the Military MuseumMilitary Museum (Belgrade)The Military Museum in Belgrade was founded in 1878. The museum has over 3000 ancient and modern items. These include Roman swords and helmets, Greek helmets and daggers, Serbian heavy knight's armor, axes, shields, helmets, crossbows, armoured gloves, as well as Western medieval weapons...
in BelgradeBelgradeBelgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. According to official results of Census 2011, the city has a population of 1,639,121. It is one of the 15 largest cities in Europe...
. - 1 x TKF - In Serbia.
- 1 x C2P artillery tractor - Was found in Belgium and bought by the National Military History Center of Auburn, IndianaAuburn, IndianaAuburn is a city in DeKalb County, Indiana, United States. The population was 13,086 at the 2010 census. Founded in 1836 by Wesley Park , the city is the county seat of DeKalb County. Auburn is also known as Home of the Classics.-Geography:...
, where it is currently on exhibition.
External links
- Articles on TK/TKS development, variants and construction in English in Polish Armour 1918-1939 website
- TK & TKS tankettes wwiivehicles.com
- TK Tankette Series Small / Light Reconnaissance Tank achtungpanzer.com